Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 11:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 11:19 p.m.

MANATEE COUNTY - An early February raid of an east Manatee County animal shelter has advocates concerned about shortcomings in policies and procedures within Animal Services.

Questions were raised Wednesday during an Animal Services Advisory Board meeting regarding the Feb. 5 seizure of more than 300 animals housed at Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Sanctuary.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen, who serves on the advisory board, said she spoke with workers at area rescues who took some of the animals found at Napier's. Most of the animals had parasites and fleas. Many had not been spayed or neutered. And some had more serious medical problems.

“I am so troubled by the discrepancy by what we heard about Napier's at this board and what was found,” Peelen said.

Peelen said Animal Services previously reported that Napier's was “iffy, a little weird,” but that there were no violations.

“They found horrendous circumstances,” she said, referring to the raid.

Rescue workers and law enforcement agents said animals were caked in their own feces and that the wooden floors inside the Napier home were “spongy” with urine.

Peelen moved that the advisory board agree to draft a statement to present to the County Commission regarding the situation. Members agreed unanimously. That draft will be reviewed at a special meeting before being taken to a County Commission meeting.

Committee members asked whether Animal Services officers have the ability to search anywhere animals are housed when conducting inspections at partner facilities. If a shelter operator refuses, shouldn't that raise a red flag, Peelen asked.

Kris Weiskopf, director of animal services, shrugged.

“There's nothing to say yes or no either way,” he said.

Weiskopf added that they are working on a contract that would require partners to allow unannounced, thorough inspections at partner facilities.

Rebecca Neal, board member and president of the Humane Society of Manatee County, said she worries that the Napier's fiasco could cause problems for the no-kill initiative adopted by the County Commission in 2011.

“If the board decided to get rid of the no-kill policy, then we're taking a giant step backwards and that concerns me,” Neal said. “Our mission is to create a no-kill community. We would be doing a disservice to sit in silence.”

The no-kill policy relied on Animal Services forming partnerships with shelters willing to take animals to prevent euthanasia fueled by over-crowding. Since the initiative was adopted, Animal Services now boasts a save rate of 90 percent.

Neal fears that the county and citizens will believe that to meet that no-kill quota, Animal Services sent animals to a filthy facility. She said that is not the case, but that it does put the no-kill initiative in a bad light.

“I don't want people to say they just wanted them out,” Neal said. “I don't want no-kill to become a casualty as well.”

During public comment, Audrey Garrison, president of Gulf Shore Animal League, echoed that concern. She said Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Rescue was partners with Animal Services before no-kill went into effect and that the shelter took “small, highly adoptable” dogs and cats that would have likely been taken by other rescues.

A criminal investigation is ongoing into animal cruelty and fraud charges against Alan and Sheree Napier. No charges have been filed.

Most of the animals taken from Napier's property are ready for adoption at area rescues.

The Manatee County Clerk of Courts internal audit team is looking into procedures at Animals Services, including how complaints and animals are processed.

The next Animal Services Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for April 3.

<p><em>MANATEE COUNTY</em> - An early February raid of an east Manatee County animal shelter has advocates concerned about shortcomings in policies and procedures within Animal Services.</p><p>Questions were raised Wednesday during an Animal Services Advisory Board meeting regarding the Feb. 5 seizure of more than 300 animals housed at Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Sanctuary.</p><p>Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen, who serves on the advisory board, said she spoke with workers at area rescues who took some of the animals found at Napier's. Most of the animals had parasites and fleas. Many had not been spayed or neutered. And some had more serious medical problems. </p><p>“I am so troubled by the discrepancy by what we heard about Napier's at this board and what was found,” Peelen said. </p><p>Peelen said Animal Services previously reported that Napier's was “iffy, a little weird,” but that there were no violations.</p><p>“They found horrendous circumstances,” she said, referring to the raid.</p><p>Rescue workers and law enforcement agents said animals were caked in their own feces and that the wooden floors inside the Napier home were “spongy” with urine.</p><p>Peelen moved that the advisory board agree to draft a statement to present to the County Commission regarding the situation. Members agreed unanimously. That draft will be reviewed at a special meeting before being taken to a County Commission meeting. </p><p>Committee members asked whether Animal Services officers have the ability to search anywhere animals are housed when conducting inspections at partner facilities. If a shelter operator refuses, shouldn't that raise a red flag, Peelen asked.</p><p>Kris Weiskopf, director of animal services, shrugged. </p><p>“There's nothing to say yes or no either way,” he said.</p><p>Weiskopf added that they are working on a contract that would require partners to allow unannounced, thorough inspections at partner facilities.</p><p>Rebecca Neal, board member and president of the Humane Society of Manatee County, said she worries that the Napier's fiasco could cause problems for the no-kill initiative adopted by the County Commission in 2011.</p><p>“If the board decided to get rid of the no-kill policy, then we're taking a giant step backwards and that concerns me,” Neal said. “Our mission is to create a no-kill community. We would be doing a disservice to sit in silence.”</p><p>The no-kill policy relied on Animal Services forming partnerships with shelters willing to take animals to prevent euthanasia fueled by over-crowding. Since the initiative was adopted, Animal Services now boasts a save rate of 90 percent.</p><p>Neal fears that the county and citizens will believe that to meet that no-kill quota, Animal Services sent animals to a filthy facility. She said that is not the case, but that it does put the no-kill initiative in a bad light.</p><p>“I don't want people to say they just wanted them out,” Neal said. “I don't want no-kill to become a casualty as well.”</p><p>During public comment, Audrey Garrison, president of Gulf Shore Animal League, echoed that concern. She said Napier's Log Cabin and Animal Rescue was partners with Animal Services before no-kill went into effect and that the shelter took “small, highly adoptable” dogs and cats that would have likely been taken by other rescues.</p><p>A criminal investigation is ongoing into animal cruelty and fraud charges against Alan and Sheree Napier. No charges have been filed.</p><p>Most of the animals taken from Napier's property are ready for adoption at area rescues.</p><p>The Manatee County Clerk of Courts internal audit team is looking into procedures at Animals Services, including how complaints and animals are processed.</p><p>The next Animal Services Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for April 3.</p>